Lawrie Sanchez is on the verge of a dramatic review of his position as manager of Northern Ireland and, having verbally resigned on Wednesday night, is now set to continue in the post.

He is understood to have had a long conversation with the Irish Football Association yesterday, a chat an IFA official described as "amicable", and is now expected to see out a contract that encompasses the end of the European Championship qualifiers in November of next year and the finals, should Northern Ireland get there, in June 2008.

The IFA released a brief statement last night saying: "The president had a long and amicable private conversation with Lawrie Sanchez, who has assured Jim Boyce that early next week he will be in contact with the IFA. The IFA president is hopeful that this matter can be resolved to the benefit of the IFA and the Northern Ireland football public."

After the 3-2 defeat of Spain at Windsor Park on Wednesday Sanchez informed the IFA chief executive, Howard Wells, of his intention to leave, citing a strained relationship with the local press among other things, it is understood. He has not yet spoken publicly about his situation.

Yesterday's developments suggest that he has had time to reflect. The news will please David Healy, scorer of a hat-trick against Spain, who said yesterday: "There is no way that I want him to leave and I'm sure it is the same for the other lads and of course the fans. We are a nation that is on the up in football terms and it is Lawrie Sanchez who has been the man behind that improvement. I know all the players want to keep it going and obviously the fans want to see us progress. We can do that with Lawrie."